Wetin we see for Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday na pure football drama wey end with Barcelona carry three points go house. The match wey Atletico Madrid host Barcelona for La Liga end 2-1 for Barcelona side, but the way the thing happen na like film.
From the beginning, both teams come show say dem no dey play. Barcelona start with strong possession, but Atletico dey wait for counter attack. Lamine Yamal, that young boy wey dey play wing for Barcelona, na im cause plenty trouble for Atletico defense from early minutes. Him pass give Fermin Lopez for 14th minute nearly bring first goal, but Lopez no fit target well.
Atletico Madrid take lead first for 39th minute through Giuliano Simeone. The Argentine striker collect Clement Lenglet pass from behind, run enter box and slot ball pass Joan Garcia. The goal come from one long ball wey catch Barcelona defense wey dey play high line.
But Barcelona answer immediately. Just three minutes after Atletico goal, Marcus Rashford combine with Dani Olmo before him squeeze ball pass Juan Musso legs for equalizer. That na Rashford 11th goal for the season and him first since January end.
The game turn more dramatic before halftime. Nicolas Gonzalez, Atletico defender wey already get yellow card, foul Lamine Yamal wey dey run toward goal. Referee check VAR and upgrade the foul to straight red card for denying clear goalscoring opportunity. Atletico reduce to 10 men.
Second half start with another red card drama. Barcelona defender Gerard Martin follow through on challenge on Thiago Almada and get red card initially, but VAR review downgrade am to yellow card. The Metropolitano stadium fans dey vex wella for that decision.
With man advantage, Barcelona begin press Atletico more. Lamine Yamal continue to torment Atletico defense, skip past plenty challenges at one point but no fit score. Juan Musso, Atletico goalkeeper, make two important saves from Ferran Torres wey just enter as substitute.
As time dey go, Barcelona dey push for winning goal while Atletico dey defend with 10 men. The game look like e go end draw until 87th minute when Joao Cancelo twist inside penalty area, shoot toward goal. Musso push the ball away but Robert Lewandowski dey there for right position.
The Polish striker turn him shoulder into the ball and deflect am into net for winning goal. Lewandowski celebration show how important the goal be for Barcelona title chase.
The result mean Barcelona now get seven points clear on top of La Liga table after Real Madrid lose 2-1 to Real Mallorca earlier for Saturday. With eight matches remain for season, Barcelona hand dey strong for title defense.
This match na just first meeting between these two teams for this period. Dem go meet again for Champions League quarterfinal first leg for Nou Camp on Wednesday. Diego Simeone Atletico team go want revenge for that European match.
For Barcelona side, Hansi Flick get reason to smile but also worry about injuries. Ronald Araujo come out with injury for first half and him substitute Marc Bernal also get problem later. These injuries fit affect Barcelona for Champions League match.
Lamine Yamal performance na one of the highlights. The 18-year-old winger cause plenty problems throughout the match with him passing and dribbling. Him partnership with Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo dey give Atletico defense headache.
Atletico Madrid, despite playing with 10 men for most of second half, defend well and nearly carry point from the match. Diego Simeone team show strong character but the late goal spoil their effort.
The atmosphere for Metropolitano dey electric throughout. From early minutes, the tackles dey fly and tension dey high. Referee decisions, especially the red cards, cause plenty controversy among players and fans.
Barcelona victory na big statement for La Liga title race. With seven points gap and Real Madrid still need to visit Nou Camp for May, the Catalan club now dey in driver seat. But as football fans know, nothing dey conclude until final whistle blow for season end.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
